Spain’s Luna Sobron followed up a first round of 67, 6 under par, with a solid 68 to lead her fellow countrywoman, Maria Parra, by three shots in the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, at the Terre Balnche Resort in the south of France.

Both players are ranked in the top 10 of the Women’s Amateur World Rankings, with Sobron ranked 10th and Parra 3rd, and plan to play the LETAS season with their current status in order to continue to player the amateur schedule.

Within the LETAS regulations, the Spanish duo can earn Order of Merit points, which will decide the players who receive an exemption on to the Ladies European Tour for the 2017 season.

Sobron dropped a shot early in her round at the tricky par 3 third but recorded birdies on 6th and the 9th holes. A further bogey followed at the 11th, with birdies at the 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th. The 21-year-old finished strongly but admitted to feeling nervous at the start of the day.

“I started a bit more nervous, I had two pars on the first two holes, which were very difficult because I had two up and downs. And then the third one, I made a bogey with three putts. Yesterday was easier. On the 17th I holed a putt from 12 metres and on the 18th I had 4 metres for an eagle chance to finish well.”

Sobron also has her sights set on a place in the LET’s Lalla Meryem Cup, for which she would earn an invitation if she wins this week.

Parra, who teed off from the 10th hole, picked up an early birdie at the par four 12th but a double bogey at the difficult par four 15th hole halted her progress. The 18-year-old rebounded with birdies at the 16th and 18th, and a further four birdies on her back nine to finish with a round of 68, 5 under par and a 8 under total, 138.

France’s Mathilde Cappeliez also recorded a second round of 68, to take third position at 6 under par. She will be closely pursued by fellow French player Lucie Andre (71) who finished with a 36 hole total of 5 under, 141.

Forty-three professionals and 10 amateurs made the cut, which fell at four over par, 150. The final day’s play will commence at 9.00am from both the 1st and 10th tees.